Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-05-26

mag" she replied. There's been
folks that's called me Sassy Mag. bat I
don't allow that 'cept they're friends.
Then there's another thing. school
master" she went on; II want You to
tell me how it is that these boys can
come here to school when there amt
no room for me.
"My gentleman said they paid five
cents week. I've got twenty to pay
you month ahead. and there tits, !"
advancing and placing her money on
the table. Now l want to know why
gals money amt rs good as boy
money"
At that moment it was quite plain
that the worthy president of this
worthy institution was in considerable
doubt as to which he was most inclined
to do-laugh or cry. As it was, he
compromised the matter by sniff and
chuckle which astonished the boys
quite as much as any thing that had
happened.
Twenty cents IS twenty cents" he
replied, after short pause; cit don't
make no difference who it comes from:
but l amt never had no gals in my
school. and dunno as the boys would
like it. But what do you all say? Take
this stool and set down, Mag, while l
put it to vote. There amt no harm
done to talk it over. you know"
1t did not detract in the least from
the kindness of the act that Shanghai
Bill did not rise to give the girl the
stool, but kicked it along with his foot.
She took the offered seat Immediately.
and waited in silence to see what
would be done next
when l was in the army" said
Bill, very slowly. and fin gering his
Spectacles good deal more than
seemed strictly necessary, "afor got
the wound that druv me to one lee. l
was struck in the shoulder and left for
dead. They said the breath of life was
clean knocked out of me. dispose
twas, for awhile, but faint SO easy to
kill some folks"
That's SOL" came in suppressed
tones from every part of the room.
"Wall, the fust thing l knew. a
queer little figger sot side of me.
Mind We, every body else had gone
about their business. for wasn't moth
ing but poor private. And this little
figger said. soft and tender. like as a
mother might speak to her dying
babby: Here, comrade, drink this. ,
apd she lifted my head, and put her
canteen to my mouth. and l drank,
boys. blessing the little cl:itter with
every swallow took.
Then she looked after my wound.
and when felt little better, she ran
rs fast as she could go for the am
bulancc, and bless your hearts, boys.
that gal never left me till l was safe in
camp.
''She was the daughter Of the regi-
ment, and never Il day has passed over
my head when have said my prayers,
that haven't asked the Lord to bless
her.
"This gal looks more like her than
any gal I've ever seen since, and what
do you say, boys, to-letting her sell
her papers, and-letting her come here
to school, and-taking little care on
her, and helping her out if she gets
into trouble? Seems to me you amt
got no call to make war on that help
less gal"
Then Short Jack tossed his poor lit
tie skull-cap to the ceiling. and the
boys set up three lusty cheers for the
teacher, and three more for Mag, and
the business was settled.
The girl arose, and going over to the
old soldier, said, simply: HE told mo
true. You are a good man, and I'm
much obliged to you. I'll come to
school tomorrow night" Then. halt
ing secon.. as she passed Short Jack,
she said: you've been good to me,
and I'm sorry l made your ear ache,
but l owed you debt and had to
pay it."
Without another word the girl
opened the door and passed down the
rickety old stairs. out into the wet,
chilly night child. alone, unprotect-
cd, cold and friendless.
"Say, boss, you brought the briny
to my eyes spell ago." said Hockey
Post. as the excitement of the girls
sudden disappearance had subsidized.
And never came so nigh to blub-
bering in my life." said Short Jack.
Away over in the dark of the farshest
corner stood Blue Tim. his battered old
hat over his eyes, and for the first time
the boys forgot to laugh at him.
Eleanor Kirke. in Youths Communion.